Five remanded over attack on Saraki’s compound

FIVE suspects arrested in connection with the recent attack on the Agbaji, Ilorin, the family residence of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, have been remanded in prison custody after their arraignment before an Ilorin magistrate’s court.

The suspects according to the Police First Information Report (FIR) are Omotosho Alawo, Ibrahim Shittu, Usman Ayilara Gobir, Ahmed Shina and Olashehu Ndarabi.

They were alleged to have unleashed terror on Agbaji and Ode Alfa Nda communities, Ilorin during an electioneering campaign in the metropolis.

According to the FIR, the suspects engaged themselves in a free for all during which Yusuf Babatunde, Ibrahim Taofeeq, Adisa Muritala, Hussein Hassan sustained serious injuries.

The fracas also led to the destruction of several vehicles parked within the areas by innocent citizens while buildings were also damaged, the FIR added.

ALSO READ: Stop blackmailing INEC, Kashamu tells Secondus

It added that concerted efforts of the operatives of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigating Department (CIID), Police headquarters, Ilorin led to the arrest of the suspects.

The FIR stated that the suspects confessed to have actively participated in the fracas with others who are presently at large.

One of the phones stolen at the scene of the mayhem was said to have been recovered from one of the suspects, Alawo.

The suspects were dragged before Magistrate Mariam Dasuki for criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, an attempt to commit an offence with culpable homicide contrary to sections 97,327,288,299 of the penal code.

The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, urged the court to remand the suspects in prisons custody pending the determination of police investigation on the matter.

The accused’s counsel, Barr. Ayodeji Saka prayed the court to discountenance the submission of the prosecutor, arguing that
the accused were still presumed innocent until contrarily proven. He said that remanding his clients is tantamount to pre-trial.

In her ruling, Magistrate Dasuki ordered that the suspects should be remanded in prisons custody and adjourn the case to February 12, 2019.